ORGANIZATIONS - OCTOBER 2018

The National Concrete Masonry Association has launched a free continuing education course for design professionals hosted by AEC Daily. “Concrete Masonry: The Energy Efficiency Solution” educates users on the thermal benefits of concrete masonry assemblies and energy code compliance options. It qualifies for continuing education credits through the AIA/CES system, and is U.S. Green Building Council-approved for Green Building Certification Institute CE hours.

“In addition to being durable, resilient, safe, flexible and affordable, concrete masonry can help designers meet or exceed energy code requirements,” says NCMA Education and Training Committee Chair Rodney Ebeling. “NCMA is working to help design professionals understand the energy efficiency benefits of a masonry system that already offers so many other attributes. Offering this course through AEC Daily provides the design community with both the education they need to maintain professional registration as well as quality information for maximizing the benefits of concrete masonry construction.”

AEC Daily is an educational website specializing in 24-hour access to building product information, industry news, educational opportunities and discussion forums for architects, specifiers, engineers and construction professionals. Course development has been funded by an NCMA Research and Education Foundation grant. The course can be accessed by searching National Concrete Masonry Association at www.aecdaily.com.

The ACI Foundation’s Concrete Research Council is accepting through December 1 proposals from parties seeking assistance for projects that further the knowledge and sustainability of concrete materials, construction, and structures. Among proposal and funding parameters: Topics are encouraged from all areas of concrete research; up to $50,000 may be approved per project for direct costs; due to a 15 percent research organization overhead cost limit, the ACI Foundation may award up to an additional $7,500 to fund indirect costs; an ACI technical committee must support the research concept and participate in an advisory role to the principal investigator; an individual researcher can serve as the principal investigator or co-principal investigator on only one proposal submitted; and, industry partnering and project cost sharing are strongly encouraged.

Principal investigators will follow the Council’s RFP Application Guide. Selection of awarded projects and notifications to principal investigators occurs after the American Concrete Institute Spring Concrete Convention and Exposition. Additional information can be obtained from ACI Foundation Director Ann Daugherty, [email protected]. Information on the last year’s awarded projects and research products is posted at www.acifoundation.org/research.

Anne Ellis

The California-based Charles Pankow Foundationhas appointed Anne Ellis, P.E., FACI, F.ASCE, as executive director, effective this month. Founder of Ellis Global and past American Concrete Institute president, she previous served as a special advisor to the Board to rally support for collaborative innovation in the architecture, engineering, and construction industries.

Ellis succeeds Mark Perniconi, P.E., who is pursuing other opportunities. “We’re grateful for Mark’s deep contributions to the Foundation,” says Board President Richard Kunnath, P.E., crediting him especially with building “many strong and vital coalitions throughout our industry to further the Foundation’s mission.”

The recently chartered Global Cement and Concrete Association, London, has enlisted as new members Buzzi Unicem, Cementos ArgosandTitan Cement—the parent companies of three major North America producers—and named Portland Cement Association an associate member. They join a charter-member roster that includes Cemex, CRH, HeidelbergCement, LafargeHolcim, Taiheiyo and Votorantim.

“GCCA was set up to provide the authoritative global voice for this essential sector. With every new member, that voice becomes even stronger,” says GCCA President and CRH Plc CEO Albert Manifold.

The Post-Tensioning Institute has opened its 2019 Project Awards cycle, accepting entries through year’s end. PTI Project Awards are presented every two years and recognize excellence in post-tensioning applications in building, bridge, parking structure, slab-on-ground, industrial/special application, and repair/rehabilitation/strengthening categories. Any structure that uses post-tensioning as a structural component, was constructed or rehabilitated in the past seven years, and not entered into the 2017 PTI Project Awards is eligible. Entries may be submitted by the owner, architect, engineer, contractor, or post-tensioning supplier. Winning projects will be selected by a jury of distinguished industry professionals, and entries are judged on creativity, innovation, ingenuity, cost-effectiveness, functionality, constructability, and aesthetics. Awards will be presented during the 2019 PTI Convention in Seattle. Entry forms and additional details are posted at www.post-tensioning.org/events/awards/projectawards.aspx.

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Concrete Products covers the issues that attract producers of ready mixed and manufactured concrete. With an editorial focus on equipment and material technology, market development and management topics, Concrete Products provides practical information for management professionals on how to run their day to day business.